Some publications, presentations, and observations of the world around us.

California Coastal Trail Whole-Coast Hikers

Posted on Mar 5th, 2013

1911-1912

J. Smeaton Chase (1864 - 1923). Not really a hiker, an English immigrant and author, Smeaton Chase, rode the coast on horseback in three trips spread between 1911 and 1912. A book, California Coast Trails, describing who he met and what he saw was published in 1913. Now reprinted several times (most recently in 2001), it is available, new and used, from various booksellers as well as an e-book. Lisa Wood, in Chasing the California Dream (1998), writes of her re-creation of Chase’s ride. Garry Stauber rode the length of California in 2003 but only the portion from Santa Cruz through Marin was along the coast.

1970

Don Engdahl. First known hiker of the entire California Coast. A reporter for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, he reported extensively on the adventure and the threats to access and the environment.

1995-1996

Bob Cowell and Dinesh Desai. Bob and Dinesh hiked from Oregon to San Francisco in 1995, scouting the trail for the 1996 Whole Coast Hike, and they completed the hike with the group (below) in 1996.

The names above list those members of Coastwalk’s first Whole Coast Hike; they completed the 1155-miles logged in 112 days. An additional 14 people joined the group for sections of the trip from 50 to 500 miles.

The above, members of Coastwalk’s Coastal Trail Expedition (CTE ’03), logged 1198 miles in 116 days, from the Oregon state line to the border with Mexico.

2004

Nate Olive – the Wookie and Sarah Janes – Island Girl. Nate and Sara hiked not only the entire CCT from Oregon to Mexico, but this was their last leg in a hike of the entire Pacific Coast--from the Washington-state/Canadian bourder.

Bernie Krausse and Stacey Matthews. By February of 2005, Bernie and Stacey had backpacked from the Oregon/California border to Santa Barbara County, as three sectional walks.

Thomas Bane. Starting on May 31 at the Mexican border, Thomas reached the Oregon border on July 29, logging 1213 miles in 60 days. His journal and photos are posted on the Trail Journals website.

2005

Gregor Seiböck. Backpacking around the world in support of sustainable living, Gregor walked the southern half (from Mexico to Pt. Reyes) of the CCT in what was to be among the wettest January-Februarys on record.

2008

Jessica Gauvreau. Starting in January, Jessica walked, by her own description, in a leisurely way from Imperial Beach, south of San Diego, to San Francisco, while for the most part staying in hostels.